Nicole Almond

What is the name of the company you work for and what do they do?

I work for Leap Environmental, a company that provides site investigation, geotechnical design, and environmental consultancy services. The company specialises in site investigation on contaminated sites, such as brownfield sites.

What is your role within the company?

I’m a trainee undergraduate which means taking on field technician roles mostly. These technician roles include gathering data out on site, supervising site works, compiling reports and logging samples.

Can you please give me an insight into a typical day?

I typically spend 3 days a week on site, collecting data, supervising drilling and digging. The other 2 days a week I am in the office where I compile reports, input and summarise data or work on either new or old projects to set them up or round them off. The job is very hands-on, with a lot of manual work so I'm kept very busy. The team works together a lot so it's very sociable and the time flies.

What do you enjoy the most and do you get involved in any interesting projects?

I enjoy the hands-on site work, seeing new projects being developed and the work that goes with them. It has been very interesting to have seen what the site used to be and how it's been developed. Since starting at Leap Environmental I have also completed asbestos awareness and a CITB CSCS health and safety and environment test which means I can now work on contaminated construction sites.

Why did you want to undertake a year in industry?

I needed the experience and I felt that having a year during university to do that was the best scenario. I didn't (and still don't) know exactly what industry I want to go into after my degree so I thought being able to spend a year gaining experience in an industry would give me good guidance and help me direct my career better. I also felt that I needed a break from education and an insight into what my future could be.

Do you have any tips and advice to current students thinking of undertaking a year in industry?

Definitely, do a year in industry or a year abroad if possible. A year in industry is invaluable and a great way to try out a possible career path as you are only committed for 1 year, so if you don't like it then it has only given you a better idea on where to look in future. 

It's another great way to meet lots of new people and possibly live in another part of the country for a year. Don't be scared to look outside of your local area for jobs either - just go with the flow and take the opportunity that strikes you as being the best!